- Hip-O Records
Infobox record label
name = Hip-O Records
image_bg =
parent =Universal Music Group
founded =1996
founder =Doug Morris
status =
distributor =Universal Music Enterprises (In the US)
genre = various
country = US
location =
url = http://www.hiporecords.comHip-O Records is a
record label , currently part ofUniversal Music Group , which specializes in reissues and compilations. They are currently in the midst of releasing the "Complete Motown Singles", a series of twelvebox sets which include both sides of every 45 fromMotown Records and its subsidiaries during that company'sDetroit era. Their catalog also includes a number of previously unreleased albums and compilations from the Motown vaults.The name is a play on the word "hip" and the already-existing
Rhino Records . In fact, the genesis of the formation of Hip-O Records has its roots inUniversal Music Group Chairman & CEODoug Morris ' relationship withRhino . As Co-Chairman ofAtlantic Records (part of theWarner Music Group ) during the early 1990s, Morris observedRhino 's great financial success at cross country rivals Capitol/EMI.EMI had taken an equity position inRhino Records as an ideal two way relationship. Rhino provided invaluable assistance in the packaging and marketing of EMI's catalog, and EMI provided Rhino with increasingly difficult to access master recordings. Their association had been extremely prestigious and profitable for both. Morris scooped in during a 1992 renegotiation snafu and took a 50% stake in Rhino, which only energized the profitability and success of both.Morris left
Atlantic Records in 1995 during an internal shake-up and immediately landed at what was then called MCA Music Entertainment Group. [http://new.umusic.com/News.aspx?NewsId=36] He recognized the history of the group's labels provided a parallel opportunity to market the vintage catalog of masters, but Rhino's magical executive team was tied up tight in the deal he signed with them at Atlantic. Morris launched his own catalog label that shadowedRhino Records in every way, down to the company's name.Today, as part of Universal Music Group, Hip-O reissues many albums from UMG's huge back catalogue - including such labels as Decca, Interscope, Geffen, A&M, Mercury, Polydor, MCA, Island and others.
Hip-O Select, Hip-O's Limited Edition on-line reissue label, has released remastered classics by artists including
Chuck Berry ,Bo Diddley ,Etta James andMuddy Waters .See also
*
List of record labels External links
* [http://www.hip-o.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.hip-oselect.com/ Hip-O Select] Hip-O's Limited Edition on-line reissue label
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